Chapter Text
Kikyou Kushida was a gossip girl. Well, not really, but to learn the secrets, ins and outs of every single person was a rather big achievement for her. To have everyone rely on her and tell them their biggest and darkest secrets was an enjoyment that was so salacious to her that she desired more of it.
To have her big secret be ousted by someone else was something she could never have happen to her. No matter what. Something she’d rather take to the grave and defend with all her might. No matter the cost, even if it costs her to lose her friends, to evidently ruin and sever those links to keep her darkest secrets to herself, she would do that. If anything, the desire to learn more secrets about others was already dangerous in itself. That’s what caused the incident in her last school. Everyone else turned on her after they found out about her blog post where she would anonymously talk behind their backs. They hated her for it.
But to protect herself, she counterattacked. She told every single secret that was told to her, not even sparing a single detail out. The secrets that were told to her by former friends, the most personal of secrets were let out. And soon enough, instead of berating her, they turned on each other. All while the girl whom had let everything out was left relatively unharmed.
The attention, the clout, the secrets. All of those had become her weapon. Social interactions were her biggest tools in order to protect herself and eliminate others. It was perfect. Perfect to get whatever she needed to suit her needs.
However, she learned a big secret about a particular boy, and she thought she could use this as an advantage to her. Already having figured out his true nature from the few interactions they had. At first, she was surprised and elated to see that they shared a kindred nature. But then she learned that he may eventually possess a potential obstacle in her future, she made quick use of it to figure out a dark secret that he didn’t wish for anyone to know. And she thought it would be that hidden, true persona of his. In a way, it was something that he didn’t wish to show everyone, however, unlike her, where she wanted to keep it locked away no matter the cost, the boy will show his true colors the moment it is needed. The moment he needs to establish himself as the person in a position of omnipotent power and get what he wants.
She made a terrible mistake. To think she would be in his crosshair like a fly, easily caught in the spider’s web. He had easily overpowered her, staring down at her like she was nothing. Nothing but the lowest of things. And she couldn’t escape. She was in his grasp, unable to do anything, given a choice that could end her career here in ANHS.
Part of her wants to eventually go against him later down the line. To try and free herself from this prison that she found herself in. But at the same time, something was telling her that she shouldn’t.
[Chapter XI] | Confrontation
That night, Asahi arrived back in his room rather peacefully. A rather quaint and accepted smile on his face, the keys jingling in his hands as he unlocked the door and pushed himself through.
Gently placing his bag on the table, he waltzed into the kitchen like nothing was wrong, as if the previous act that had transpired that night had not happened at all. Propping open the fridge door, he grabbed the ingredients to make a pork cutlet bowl. Beating some eggs, seasoning it with salt and pepper, he dredged the small pork cutlet into the flour bowl before submerging it in the egg pool. Once fully covered, he removed it and put it in a small container filled with seasoned breadcrumbs.
A good shake to have the cutlet covered completely, he took a pair of chopsticks and lowered the cutlet into a pot of heated oil that he had previously prepared on the stove ten minutes ago. The vivid sloshing and bubbling of the oil deep-frying the piece of pork, accompanied by a popping noise every now and then, the kitchen soon began to fill with a delicious aromatic smell. His nostrils were quite pleased with the spices that he had put in the meal, the boy then moving to grab another pot from the cupboard below. Filling it with some washed rice from the sink, pouring in two cups of rice into the pot and filling it in with two and a half cups of water.
Putting the pot over a low heat on the stove, he would let the rice be steamed and cooked in the pot, the red-haired teen moving to the island counter next to the stove. Washing some green onion and grabbing a chopping board, he swiftly cuts the green onion stalk into small bite-sized pieces, using it as garnish for his pork katsudon bowl. Setting those ingredients to the side, he returned his attention back to the pot that held his pork cutlet, taking a pair of tongs and taking the sizzling, golden brown crusted pork meat out of the heated pot of canola oil. He put that to the side and grabbed an iron skillet, pouring a little bit of the hot oil into the skillet so he could cook up something else. Speaking of those things, once setting the desired amount of oil into the pan, he cracked an egg on the side, and with one hand, opened the two shells apart and let the egg fall onto the skillet gently. Using some chopsticks to evenly stir the egg around and have it cook evenly, cooking the egg up to be fully cooked. He very much enjoyed the sides being very crunchy and a little bit browned up to give it a nice bit of texture to the rice.
Once he finished preparing everything on the stove, finished and fully cooked, he removed the contents from the pan, clearing the oiled up pan he used for the egg, he went to another bowl and grabbed a few bottles of sauces nearby. Mixing in some soy sauce, worcestershire sauce, and a little bit of barbecue in it, he gently puts it in the pan to deglaze before putting in the pork cutlet to coat it in the juices. Coating it on all sides, he went ahead to assemble his dinner for the night.
A nice bed of rice that sat atop the plate, plopping the coated pork cutlet on next (having chopped it into five equal pieces first), placed next was the egg, and then lastly sprinkling on some of the green onion on top. Taking his dish and putting it on the table, the ceramic plate letting out a satisfying clink and thunk atop the wooden table, he grabbed himself a pair of chopsticks and began to indulge. A few sips of water here and there, a good chew every now and then as she shoveled some of the pork cutlet with bits of rice, egg, and scallions, he was appreciating the moment of tranquility, forgetting all about what had transpired tonight. Not even thinking about Kushida or Horikita for that matter.
Soon, however, his phone buzzed. He fished it out of his pocket, tapping the screen a couple of times before pulling up the messaging app.
He was in a group chat with Ike, Yamauchi, and Sudou, but to his surprise, a new person had joined. The notification that had buzzed in was to notify him that a certain Maya Satou had joined the group.
Asahi gulped his food down and pondered for a moment, recalling that Satou was another one of those girls that had gone on a spree of spending a majority of their points on clothes and what not. Seemed to be close friends with Hirata’s girlfriend, Kei Karuizawa. Another one of those high-spirited girls.
Satou
Hiya! Ike-kun invited me to join when we were talking earlier
I heard about what happened today. Horikita is really frustrating huh?
Ike
I was really pissed at her. Sudou was super mad. He would’ve almost lost it and hit her had Himuro not stepped in. But even then, his way of dealing it was crazy
Asahi pursed his lips in an almost amusing manner. Must’ve been referring to the stunt where he threatened Sudou’s basketball team placement. In hindsight, it might’ve seemed overboard to do so, but at the end of the day, it was Sudou’s choice.
Would the team suffer a heavy loss because of Sudou’s idiotic choice? Perhaps in the early game, but all Asahi had to do was plan accordingly and Sudou’s decision shouldn’t suffer him in the long run. Besides, there were far more pawns he had accessed on the team as well. So many other pieces he could utilize to secure victory when the time came. And if it comes down to it, he’ll just win by himself. Himself and himself alone.
He continued to examine the text thread that was occurring.
Satou
Really? How so?
Ike
Himuro threatened to take him off the basketball team. Though it also kind of confused me a little. Wouldn’t he be kicked off the team if he failed the midterm anyway?
Satou
He would. Wait, since when was Himuro-kun the Captain of the basketball team?
Ike
Beats me. But man, if he really hadn’t stepped in, Sudou would’ve really slapped her
Satou
Ah ha ha ha, it’ll be a big problem if you hit her lol. That would be overkill!
Yamauchi
Hey, I have an idea. Starting tomorrow, how about we completely ignore her?
Satou
Hah, I’ve always ignored her (lol)
Ike
I kind of want to hit her with some payback. Bully her a little to make her cry, you know? Do something like hide her shoes
Satou
Ha ha, what are you, kids? Lol lol lol but I do kind of want to see her squirm
Asahi snorted, clearly baffled by the “punishments” Ike and Yamauchi were trying to suggest to get back at the black-haired girl. It was just as Satou said, they were acting childish. Besides, he could give a punishment that would be considered much much worse. Though at the moment, there wasn’t
anything
that warranted a punishment for her, there was still
something
to be salvaged.
That is if Horikita could realize her errors (which she probably has) but due to her own stubbornness, she would rather feign ignorance or something like that than admit that she is what they call a “defect” in the school system’s eyes. Especially toward him. As much as a groveling Suzune Horikita would be enjoyable, that sort of pity displayed on a pretty girl like herself seemed like such a waste. That sort of behavior is more suitable for someone like Ike or Yamauchi. They are the more “pathetic whelps” of the bunch in their class.
Satou
Hey, Himuro-kun, you want in on bullying Horikita lol
Ike
Nah, Himuro is all obsessed with her, so he probably can’t
Satou
Hey, whose side are you on? Ours or Horikita’s?
It wasn’t a surprise that they wanted to bully Suzune in some way shape or form. If you were to treat others like how she treated them, there would be bound to be people that would hate you or anything like that. Would hitting her in the face or something like that be considered too far? It depended on the situation, but as petty as a situation like Ike’s and Yamauchi’s, yes, hitting Horikita would be considered too far.
Asahi decided to answer.
You
I’m on no one’s side. If you wish to bully her, I will not stop you.
Satou
So, you’re neutral. That’s the craftiest answer lol
You
Think however you’d like. It’s not like you will gain anything from this. After all, if the school were to find out that you were bully her, there would be serious consequences.
Himuro didn’t necessarily care if they were expelled or punished for bullying Horikita. That was far from his concern right now. He was just continuing to put up his good honor roll student act. Play things close to the chest for right now.
Ike
So you’re sticking up for Horikita huh? Ha ha
You
You know, Ike, if Kushida-san were to hear you saying that, she’d probably hate you.
Once he left that text, he could immediately see the bouncing ellipses in the bottom left hand corner, Ike having instantly gotten a sour and panicked reaction at it that he was going to try and clear the air or something like that. But the young man shut his phone off and tossed it onto the bed, having lost interest in continuing the conversation and continued eating his meal.
Once done, he took his dirty dish to the sink and began to wash them. He exhaled rather loudly.
“What a troublesome day it’s been,” he muttered to himself.
To an extent, it was. Minor setbacks to his future plans, but none that would cause difficult problems in the coming days.
But even still. He honestly expected better from Horikita.
---
After his hearty meal, he expected he’d retire for the night and head to bed. But even after he finished cleaning the dishes, he read a bit of a novel that he had purchased a couple days back that was sitting upon his desk. Doing that for thirty minutes or so, he didn’t feel any fatigue whatsoever.
Slipping on his shoes and tucking his phone into his pocket, he exited his room and locked the door behind him. A faint smirk on his face, he merrily made his way down the hall and pressed the down button on the elevator panel. It didn’t take long for the elevator car to arrive, proceeding on in and heading down to the ground floor, the elevator playing some ambient music for his leisure. The elevator dinged, signaling that it arrived on the ground floor, exiting once the two metal doors shifted open to the side.
Just as he was about to turn the corner, he spotted a familiar black-haired girl standing near the entrance. Clad in her school uniform still, Suzune stared at the doorway to the student building, almost like she was pondering something. Asahi hid by the corner, only peeking his head just a little bit so he could see what she was doing. Rather odd for the black-haired girl to be up at this hour. It was just a few hours from midnight. And Horikita considered herself a rather studious person, so one might think that her sleep schedule was of much importance. But here she was, standing at the doorway of the main lobby of the dormitory.
But she soon stepped forward. The sliding glass doors to the student dormitory opened up for her and she stepped outside. As to where exactly, Asahi wasn’t sure. Curiosity got the better of him and he decided to follow her.
He treaded lightly, keeping a safe distance. A far enough distance that if she peered her head behind to look she wouldn’t see him, but also far enough that she didn’t escape his keen eye. As he kept walking along, Asahi examined Suzune’s posture. Her shoulders were brought up a little, signifying a tense expression of sorts. Almost like she was conflicted and doubting herself to even go out at this hour. But her stride displayed some slight confidence. With her head held up high, she continued to walk along the dimly lit street.
It wasn’t until she turned another corner, Asahi hurrying up his pace a little and stopping at said corner she had turned into. He peered his head around slightly, eyes slightly narrowed as the maroon color to his irises looked to be illuminating with a curious stare.
Suzune had met up with an older boy. It would normally be a red flag if the gentleman was up there in age, but Asahi could tell that the older boy was a high schooler. And judging from his stature and the way he carried himself with a high aura, he was most likely a third-year. Most of the third-years he’s met often held that sort of aura around them. They were very prideful and proud of themselves.
He examined Suzune’s posture once more. Now that she had arrived here, her previous confident demeanor had faded. What took place was a more nervous cold-footed outlook on herself, awkwardly and nervously shifting her feet and holding her head low, an almost downcast and disappointed way to it. Interesting.
“Suzune,” the older boy spoke, his tone authoritative and commanding. Deep and stern. “I didn’t think you’d follow me this far.”
Suzune reaffirmed herself, straightening her posture. “Hmph. I’m far different from the useless girl you once knew, Brother. I came here to catch you.”
Asahi’s eyes widened a little. ‘Brother?’ She was referring to Manabu Horikita, the current student council president. He squinted at the older boy’s appearance.
He was quite tall. Around the same height of a particular boy Asahi knew in middle school. Though it’s probable that the boy he knows is taller than he was before. But he could see the resemblance between Suzune and Manabu. Both of them had that sleek dark black hair, piercing gradient red eyes, and those familiar sour and neutral expressions on their faces. Though his posture was that of dutiful and something to that of high and mighty attitude. The way the lens of his square-rimmed glasses gave off a silvery glint only served that purpose even further.
“Catch me, hmm?” Asahi couldn’t read the older boy’s expression, but he could definitely tell that Manabu was disappointed. “I heard you were placed in Class D. I suppose nothing has really changed in the last three years.” The red-haired teen could see Suzune visibly flinch, her older brother’s words cutting like sharp knives. “You’ve always been fixated on following me, and as a result, you don’t notice your own flaws. Choosing to come to this school was a mistake.”
Suzune backed up a bit, “That’s… You’re wrong about that. I’ll show you. I’ll reach Class A right away, and then—”
Her voice was but a low whisper, her confidence truly beginning to shatter under her brother’s intimidating gaze and fixated attitude of superiority. Suzune’s usual stern and cold exterior expression soon faltered, her eyes faltering as she eyed her elder brother, a look of disgust and disappointment on his face.
“It’s pointless. You will never reach Class A,” he said, his voice icy and direct. So blunt and cold that it made her shiver and nearly fall over. “In fact, your class will fall apart soon enough. Things at this school aren’t as simple as you think.”
“I will definitely, definitely reach—”
He cuts her off, “I told you, it’s pointless. You really are a disobedient little sister.”
The elder Horikita stepped into the light, his disinterested face being blatant to see. Suzune felt nothing but the desire to shrivel up in his line of sight, all sense of confidence now thrown out the window now that her brother was standing in the bright light of the overhead lamp post. It got to the point that Manabu grabbed her wrist—Suzune showing no sign of restraint or resistance—and forced her up against the wall.
“No matter how much I try to avoid you, the fact remains that you’re my little sister. If people around here learned the truth, I would be humiliated. Leave this school immediately.”
“I-I can’t do that… I will definitely reach Class A. I’ll show you!”
“How incredibly stupid.” Once more, his face was devoid of all emotion. “Do you want to relive the pain of the past?”
“Brother, I…”
“You possess neither the abilities nor the qualities needed to reach Class A. Get that through your head.”
He watched as Suzune simply resigned to what sort of action she was going to be subjected to. To see that she was reduced to something rather pathetic honestly irked him a little. Especially because he saw potential in her. An untapped amount. Besides, if anyone was going to destroy her.
It would be him. His privilege alone.
So he stepped out of the shadows. The way Manabu’s left arm was positioned was right before Suzune’s stomach, palm open as he looked like he was going to strike her there. From there, the way his feet were planted and how his stance was, perhaps he was going to then grab her before throwing her to the ground. And depending how hard he would’ve thrown her, it could be possible for the impact to even break her spine. But of course, such a drastic notion would put a damper on him in the future, so such a thing wouldn’t be a possibility. If anything, he would only do enough to “teach” a lesson, apparently.
Just before he could drive his hand in for a powerful strike, a hand reached out and grasped the arm that was pinning Suzune to the wall. The two of them were shocked, Suzune especially, even more so surprised that the arm that belonged to the person that halted her own brother was none other than the red-haired boy she despised so deeply. And yet, to see him here, whether it was for her sake or not made her all the more perplexed, at her defense, a rather scornful expression on his face as he stared up at the elder Horikita. Because he was a little bit shorter than him, it looked a bit uncanny, strange, and almost hilarious to see a short person like Himuro even standing up to the elder Horikita. But Manabu couldn’t deny the grip strength that was being exuded onto his arm. It wasn’t too strong or anything like that but it definitely was a surprising amount for someone like him to be using. He honestly thought he’d be weaker with his stature.
“You…” Manabu stared at Himuro’s eyes with an impressed glint, but a sharp gaze was there. However, Asahi didn’t falter.
“H-Himuro-kun!?” Suzune cried, shocked beyond belief.
Asahi opened his mouth to speak, his tone of voice calm but firm. “For someone as esteemed as the student council president himself, I didn’t think you of all people would stoop so low to violence, Horikita-senpai. Much less against your own younger sister. I thought you of all people would know what is right or wrong.”
Manabu only scoffed. “Eavesdropping is not an admirable quality.”
“Then perhaps you should let go.”
“That’s my line.”
The two only glared at each other, showing no signs of backing down. While Manabu kept his tight grip on his younger sister’s wrist, Asahi simultaneously applied more unto the elder Horikita’s forearm. A fierce battle of wills seemed to be taking place, watching the other as to who would waver first. It wasn’t until a rather quiet voice had spoken up, coming from Suzune herself.
A downcast expression on her face, looking at neither of them, her resigned expression having returned.
“Stop it, Himuro-kun.”
Strained. Almost scared, vulnerable, and a faint whisper. A very rare occurrence, something he hasn’t gotten out of her. He’s made her feel inferior to him in recent situations beforehand, but this was far different from the headstrong and stubborn Suzune Horikita he met.
Asahi studied her face, trying to find some sort of false sense of anything. Alas, he couldn’t find it, and he let go of her brother’s arm as per her request. But it was in that instant, Manabu retaliated, attempting to backhand the red-haired boy’s face. However, Asahi had quicker reactions, and thanks to his own hand-to-eye coordination, he moved his face out of the way in time and raised his arm to block it. Manabu wasn’t expecting the action, even taken aback by the sudden punch that was being thrown his way.
He dodged into his own way and lunged a hand forward, aiming for Asahi’s neck. The boy scoffed, a smirk being made on his face in an unnoticeable manner, merely brushing the hand away with ease. Manabu let out a light gasp and took a step away to the side and stared deeply into Asahi’s eyes. No hint of fear was present, but a calm and almost arrogant pressure on him. The young boy in front of him held himself highly, but his own nature was nothing to scoff at as he had displayed some skills to back himself up. He then noticed the smirk on Asahi’s face. It irked him. Annoyingly.
“You move well. I didn’t expect for you to avoid them quickly,” he stated, a hint of respect in his voice. He couldn’t lie that this boy was an interesting, but fickle and annoying individual. “You seemed to understand quite well what I was trying to do. Tell me, have you been taught?”
“Shogi. Chess. Basketball. That’s about it, really.” Asahi simply replied.
“You’re in Class D, too? What a unique boy, Suzune.”
“So I’ve been told,” Asahi said. “However, Horikita-san sees me more as an insufferable person,” he joked.
“Suzune, is this boy your friend?” Manabu questioned his sister. “I’m honestly surprised.”
She opened her mouth, a long pause occurring. “He’s…not my friend. Just my classmate.”
Asahi shoots Suzune a look of mock pain. “After everything we’ve been through? You wound me so.”
As usual, Suzune didn’t look amused by such a gesture, scowling at the boy. Manabu, however, only scoffed at her sister’s statement, continuing his condescending attitude. He wasn’t amused by such an answer, an almost menacing white glint appearing in the reflection of his glasses as he pushed them up a bit to adjust them.
“I see you continue to confuse independence with solitude.” Manabu looks at Asahi. “You’re quite interesting… Himuro, was it? The name is rather familiar.”
“Perhaps it is because that is the surname of my father.”
Manabu’s eyes lit up with interest. “Oh? You are Yasutake Himuro’s son? And what is an esteemed boy like you doing in Class D. It is rather perplexing to be in the lowest class, is it not?”
“You could say that. But I appreciate a challenge.” Asahi only replied with a shrug.
“Hmph. I see.”
A light smirk was on his face, pushing his glasses up one last time before he began walking past the red-haired teen. He soon stopped close to him, his mouth positioned right next to Asahi’s ear.
“Show me all you have to offer then, Himuro.”
“Likewise, Horikita-senpai.”
Manabu let out an affirmed grunt before he walked into the darkness and disappeared. Now it was the two of them. Alone.
Suzune seemed to have muttered something, but he was able to pick it up. “I’m going to drag myself up to Class A, even if it kills me.” Very admirable. Tenacity and that stubbornness was something he could congratulate her for. But it's like he told her, her own stubbornness is a double-edged sword. So while admirable, the quality is dangerous in its own right.
He was soon knocked out of his thoughts, not even noticing Suzune walk up to him. She had quietly tugged on his sleeve, her gaze sent to the pavement as he couldn’t see her face.
“Did you hear everything? Or was it a coincidence?” She whispered to him lowly.
“I wouldn’t say it was a coincidence. But seeing as you were out here at this hour, it did spark a curiosity within me and it got the better of me.”
“I see…” She bit her lip, a deep sigh escaping her mouth before she began to walk in a different direction than her brother. “Himuro-kun, come with me.”
---
He did as he was instructed and followed her. Went to an area that was a little bit more out in the open, sitting themselves at some benches that were near some vending machines. Though the red-haired boy opted to lean up against the wall next to the girl.
Before they had settled themselves down, he bought her a canned coffee, something that she reluctantly took. Despite having cracked the can open, she didn’t take a single sip from it. Whether she was annoyed at the gesture or not, he didn’t really think about it too much. His mind was crossed on the individual known as Manabu Horikita.
Asahi didn’t have any siblings, and there were rarely any that fit that bill in the first place. And he couldn’t really say much (or anything at all for that matter) when it came to the idea of having an affectionate kinship with a sibling, but the idea of an elder sibling harming their younger one, especially if it was a younger sister, was rather odd. From all the media he’s seen and actual people that have elder siblings he’s interacted with, the elder siblings are usually the ones that protect their younger brothers or sisters. To see that Manabu was willing, and actually serious, to harm Suzune was but an odd thing to see. He figured they were close. It seemed his intuition was wrong about that.
He then piped up, “Your older brother was quite strong. He didn’t lack any ferocity in his attacks, but he carries himself quite highly.”
“He’s ranked fifth dan in karate and fourth in aikido.”
“Oh? I see. His strength was nothing to scoff at.”
She looked at him with a curious gaze. “You also practice martial arts, don’t you, Himuro-kun? You must hold a dan rank.”
“I have…dabbled in martial arts for a bit, but I wouldn’t quite say I’m an expert,” he said, withholding some form of the truth. He wasn’t lying .
“Hmph. You make it hard to believe your words, you know that, Himuro-kun?” She sighed. “If you don’t practice any martial arts the muscle formation on your arms says otherwise.”
“I didn’t realize you were staring at me so intently, Horikita-san,~” he teased, ignoring her annoyed stare. “But wouldn’t you say my muscle formation would be necessary, considering the sport I play?”
“Normally, yes, but I find it hard to believe that you of all people didn’t practice any martial arts if you were able to handle my older brother of all people.”
“Point taken. But there’s simply that more than meets the eye to me, Horikita-san. I just haven’t shared everything.”
“Even still. There are things that still don’t make sense to me.”
“How so?”
She eyed her canned coffee absentmindedly, “As much as I hate to admit that you are better than me, it still doesn’t make sense to me that someone as smart as you is in Class D. You told me that your father is making you climb your way to the top. Is that really all there is to that?”
“Yes. It is as simple as that,” Asahi said matter-of-factly, a sharp tone leaving his tongue. “Does that bother you at all?”
“Quite frankly, it does,” Suzune said, huffing a little. “It is more logical for someone to take the opportunity of Class A when presented to them.”
“I suppose you’re right on that matter. But to have everything handed to me on a silver platter isn’t something I enjoy. A mindset my father agrees with.” The boy chuckled, “Then again, it is that mindset he had drilled into my head when I was younger. It’s the same thing I told you; winners are validated and the losers are denied everything. If you don’t have what it takes to reach the top, it never was meant for you in the first place.”
Suzune looked at him, a snarky tone soon escaped her lips. “And you said I was the cruel one.”
However, he doesn’t bat an eye at her. “It is simply how the world works. Simple as that, Horikita-san. Simple as that.”
She fell silent for a bit. Another sigh escaped her lips. Suzune then returned her gaze back up to the night sky, still holding the canned coffee with a slight grip to it. Her arm quivered and shook a little.
“You must think that I’m quite pathetic. To see such a side of me tonight.”
“Hmm… Not necessarily. You aren’t necessarily a normal girl, but I will admit, that form of vulnerability didn’t suit you at all. I didn’t think you of all people would resign that easily.”
An annoyed poke was what it felt like at her side, causing her to glare at the red-haired boy. But she couldn’t deny that fact. There was no one else she would resign easily toward except for her brother. To see her in such a state did feel rather pathetic. She didn’t believe his words. Not a single bit of them. The only thing that made it feel even more insufferable is that a majority of the words that he had told her did hold weight and truth to them.
It was annoying. But it was the truth. He IS better than her, whether she liked it or not. And he had the abilities to back it up. Her dream to catch up to her brother was something to that of a pipe dream now. And it only annoyed her even more to see that there was someone else even closer, if not better, than the level her elder brother was at.
Sighing to herself, Suzune stood up. She cracked open the canned coffee and gave it a sip. She expected to recoil at the bland taste and bitter taste, as she was someone who much rather preferred tea than coffee, but she tasted nothing. Was it a sign of defeat? Perhaps. Like pouring salt in the wound.
“I suggest we head back. If anyone saw us out here, they’d probably get ideas,” Suzune says.
Asahi snorted, “I’m sure there’s already ideas about us, Horikita-san. Out of everyone in the class, I am the only one you interact with.”
She scowled. “I should rephrase. I should go back before you get any ideas.”
“Fine, fine. I’ll stop with the teasing,” he conceded. ‘For tonight only, of course.’
As the two walked back to the dorms, he struck up conversation again.
“Are you alright with how the study group went?
“I should be asking you if you’re satisfied with how you took your approach with Sudou-kun,” Suzune shoots back.
“It doesn’t necessarily bother me in the slightest.” Asahi spoke with pure honesty. “Yes, it will deal a heavy blow to us in the future games, but it won’t deter us from achieving victory in the slightest. There are others that can fill the role Sudou has left behind.”
She turned her head back to look at him, eyes narrowed. “Are tools the only thing you see people as? That seems to be the gesture I’m getting.”
“Why, that would be informal and rude of me, wouldn’t you say, Horikita-san? Looking at people with tools is rather demeaning, don’t you think?” He asked with a slight coy smile.
Her gradient red eyes stared at him intently. She only returned her gaze back to the front, however, silently grinding her teeth.
She then spoke up, “Well, regarding the results of the study group, it doesn’t bother me at all. I’m used to it. Besides, Hirata-kun picked up most of the failing students. He knows how to study, he seems to get along with others, and unlike me, he’ll be a good tutor. It is the same thing I could say for you as well. You should consider taking over the study group instead.”
“And I will have to admit to you, tutoring people is something foreign to me. It is not because I don’t think people deserve my help, but rather, I don’t have the capacity to teach at all.”
“That’s a lie. You wouldn’t have become Point Guard if you didn’t know how to issue instructions at all.”
“You make a fair point. I suppose I should rephrase that. It would be better for them to think and figure it out themselves.”
“You really are cruel, you know that?”
“So I’ve been told,” he replied. “Even if I were to take over the study group, I doubt they’d want to study with me of all people. Not after the choice I gave Sudou, and all.”
“That method was rather flawed.”
“Same I could say for yours.”
She bit her lip. He just had to point it out (but he wasn’t wrong). “It doesn’t matter. At the very least, they should all pass. If anything, it was pointless to try teaching the failing students myself. We would go through this same scenario for every test until graduation. It would be pointless to try making up for their failure every single time,” she reaffirmed.
“Even so, they’re not the type of people to study with Hirata-san. Much like you, they’re quite stubborn. Especially Sudou-kun.”
“Don’t put me in the same group as them,” Suzune scowled. The mere thought of being lumped in a group with them disgusted her, though her attempt at forming the study group was a different matter. “If they don’t want to study with Hirata-kun, that’s their decision. Besides, if they’re facing expulsion, they shouldn’t grumble about trivial nonsense. If they don’t get closer to Hirata-kun, then they’ll be expelled. Of course, my goal is to have Class D reach Class A status. However, that’s for my own sake and no one else’s. I don’t care about anyone else. Really, if we dump the failures on this next midterm, then the better students will be left. That’s what I need, correct? In that case, attaining a higher rank will be simple. Everything will work out perfectly.”
“It’s that shallow-minded thinking that makes you flawed in the first place, Horikita-san.”
“You’ve told me that time and time again, Himuro-kun,” Suzune responded briskly. “I’ve listened to your gibberish and your advice regarding the matter and it didn’t work. There is no strategic value to helping failures.”
“Precisely the reason why I decided to retract my offer in helping you in the first place,” the boy sighed. “Listen, Horikita-san, I won’t deny that there are setbacks to them, but it will be beneficial to have them pass in the first place.”
Finally, she looked back at him. “Oh? Pray tell, what is it?”
They stopped walking, a serious tone in Asahi’s voice, “Remember what this school stands for. Their methods are unorthodox and unknown. Considering the fact that they’ve already deducted points from us for students being late, being a nuisance in class, and et. cetera, what is to say they won’t deduct more from us because we’re the only class that had students expelled?”
“That’s—” Her eyes had lit up in realization of the possibility, the red-haired boy then interrupting her.
“Of course, because of the nature of the S-System, there is no way to be sure of the possibility. But that doesn’t change the fact that the possibility is there for that to happen. The question is: How many points will they deduct from us? 100? 1,000? Perhaps 10,000 or even 100,000 if the severity of it is punishable. If that were to happen, then the idea of even reaching Class A may as well be impossible for you.”
“We’ve gone down to zero points because of our infractions. We can’t go any lower,” Suzune argues. “If we’re currently at zero, don’t you think it’s best to eliminate the dead weight? That would be the same as taking no damage.”
“Like I said, due to the nature of the S-System, we won’t know for sure. There are too many possibilities to think of, much less the penalties that can be incurred. If you were really so smart, you’d realize that the approach you’re taking is too dangerous of a risk to take. Otherwise, it would’ve been no point for you to even suggest creating a study group in the first place. You would’ve abandoned them from the beginning.”
He made a sound argument, to be honest. Suzune hadn’t thought to even consider that fact. She was too worked up in focusing on obtaining the quickest route to get to Class A, whatever one would be the most beneficial to her alone. However, she didn’t want to accept his reasoning, her resolve already hardened and set on her own values.
“Even if there are potential unknown negatives, it’s better for the future of our class to abandon the failing students. Wouldn’t you regret abandoning them when we do finally increase our points?” She questioned, her voice sharp. “Right now, it’s a risk we have to take.”
“Is that what you really think?”
“Yes.”
“Then you shall continue to remain a fool. Someone so short sighted.”
In an instant, Suzune whipped around and attempted to strike the boy. There was only so much she could tolerate from him. To be demeaned on, stepped on, looked down on by this boy.
But it was as he had said, her own stubbornness was both a boon and a bane at the same time. While good to be headstrong in most aspects, she continued to fail to realize that the reason she keeps on losing is because of her own methods. Her own mindset. Or perhaps she did realize it, she just couldn’t shake the fact from it being the wrong one, this method she’s used all of her life.
Her fist made its way toward his face, but with his keen eyes, he easily stopped it. His hand had darted up from below and grabbed her wrist, giving it a small, but slightly powerful squeeze. Just enough to make Horikita falter. The black-haired girl grunted, nearly stumbling forward, flinching at the blank face gaze Asahi gave her, far too similar to that of her elder brother’s. It mirrored it perfectly, so much so that she wanted to just recluse herself rather than be annoyed at him.
“I will not argue with some points in your beliefs, Horikita-san. I understand you only think in the terms of gain or loss, which is valid. A majority of our society runs on that sort of idea. People are calculating and cunning creatures, after all. Sell goods, you get paid. Do someone a favor, a debt of gratitude is expected to be paid. But, it is because of that broad perspective of yours that you continue to fail to see what is front of you. Or perhaps you do see it. You just don’t want to believe it.”
“...” Suzune could only keep her mouth closed, her tongue tight, nothing to say. Grinding her teeth, both an infuriated and disappointed expression on her face.
“I will say it again. Your flaw is that you continue to see everyone around is a burden. You detach yourself from them so you don’t become close with them. Yet the fact still remains. You are in Class D. You ARE defective .” Suzune hung her head low, refusing to face him, Asahi continued to speak, “Perhaps Sudou-kun and the others aren’t on equal grounds when it comes to studying. And I doubt they’ll overtake you in the long run. But this school doesn’t focus on just intelligence alone. But what if the next exam was on physical activities or related to sports? What then?”
She looked up, “Well, that’s—”
“You’re physically capable, that much is certain. I witnessed it in swim class. Out of all the girls, you are one of the most capable people there. Perhaps even superior to them. But there are other factors that give an edge to the likes of Sudou-kun, Yamauchi, and Ike. When it comes to physical activities, Sudou-kun’s and my own abilities far exceed yours. And I know my abilities are better. Hypothetically, if our next exam revolved around communication, you would be the one to fall short and Ike would be more useful. So if you were to look at it this way… You’re the one who’d bring down the class average.”
Suzune went to open her mouth to protest, but the only thing that escaped her lips was air. She couldn’t say anything. A lump was caught in her throat and she couldn’t even find words to speak up and say why that wasn’t the case. Why she wouldn’t be the one to hold everyone back. But she couldn’t say anything. Nothing at all.
Asahi soon let go of her wrist, her arm soon falling down to her side. She looked down again. No longer did she wish to face him anymore. Until she heard a long sigh escape Asahi’s lips, feeling his hand on top of her head, almost like he was ruffling her hair.
“However, that doesn’t make you incompetent. Everyone has their own strengths and weaknesses. That’s what it means to be human, of course.”
“...Even yourself?” She croaked, her voice but a whisper.
“...Yes. Even I have weaknesses.” But that didn’t mean he was going to tell her.
Horikita let her shoulders sag down. He only stared at her, eyeing carefully as it looked like the cogs in her head seemed to be shifting and moving within. He could almost hear the creaking and clanking of the sounds in his ear. She soon raised her shoulders, looking up at him with a bit of an enlightened gaze, so to speak.
She still felt miserable. Having been verbally demeaned and attacked by the boy didn’t feel good at all. And it was frustrating to have to accept the circumstance she was in, even more so to acknowledge that this boy is in fact better than her in every way. And to also consider the possibility that she is the one holding the class back in the first place. But there was still one thing that mingled on her mind.
“...Himuro-kun… What is it that you want? Why are you telling me all this? What does this school mean to you? Why are you working so hard to convince me?” Asahi only smiled. “...I already told you, didn’t I? I’m doing this because of my own volition. And… To rule.”